Apparatus for removing metal from crucibles



13, 1960 K. E. B. BREDTSCHNEIDER 2,963,725

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METAL FROM CRUCIBLES Filed Dec. 17, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet l BY w 1960 K. E. B. BREDTSCHNEIDER 2,963,725

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METAL FROM CRUCIBLES Filed Dec 17, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 awn/Tog mzawmm:

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METAL FROM CRUCIBLES Filed Dec. 17, 1953 Dec. 13, 1960 K. E. B. BREDTSCHNEIDER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 A m m m United States Patent G APPARATUS FOR REMOVING METAL FROM CRUCIBLES Kurt E. B. Bredtschneider, Chicago, 111., assignor to Crane Co., Chicago, III., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 17, 1953, Ser. No. 398,749

11 Claims. (Cl. -1041) This invention relates to anapparatus for removing metal from crucibles and more particularly to an apparatus which is adapted to remove from the crucible a sponge-like process of titanium, zirconium, or other metal constituting the reduction product of a halide of the said metal.

One method of producing such a sponge involves the introduction at controlled rates of fiuid titanium tetrachloride and fluid magnesium, whereby a sponge is formed within a retort adapted to contain the process as well as the fluid by-product magnesium chloride. The removal of the agglomerated mass which is the result of the process gives rise to unusual problems, since the said mass will have been sintered to the floor and side walls of its container. The sponge is of an unusual density and toughness, which in itself requires the application of unusual tools. scraping or cleansing operation is involved, the means used for removing the sponge must be such as will preserve the metal in its reduced form. Since this process will inevitably entail the division of the mass into particles of various sizes as well as dust, the danger of combustion must be overcome. A further aspect of the problem is the unwieldy nature of the crucible and the metal contained therein, since materials of such a heavy nature will require the use of special equipment.

It is, therefore, the object of this invention to provide a tool which shall be mounted for relative motion with the said crucible, and which shall be adapted to penetrate and subdivide a highly resistant metal mass with unusual efiectiveness.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ma- 1 chine for removing inflmmable metal sponge from crucibles which shall be adapted to position the crucible so as to permit the entry of the tool, as well as to permit the material which is loosened in the crucible to fall of Furthermore, since more than a simple its own weight from the crucible into an appropriate re- Fig. l is a side vertical sectional view of an apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical cross .section showing in detail the crucible and the axially :aligned holders therefor, together with structure for holding the various parts in fixed spaced relationship;

Patented Dec. 13, 1960 Fig. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view of the crucible assembly shown in Fig. 1, taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1, with the teeth 23 each being shown in fragmentary section along an axial plane thereof.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 44 of Fig. l of the crucible and container therefor as positioned on a guidew-ay for insertion within the supporting structure of the said apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 1, showing the arbor in disengaged relationship to the sealing envelope;

Fig. 6 is a transverse cross sectional View of a crucible assembly and reaming tool similar to that shown in Fig. 3 disclosing a cylindrical layer of metallic sponge within the crucible; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse cross sectional view correspond ing to that of Fig. '6 wherein a toolhead of diminished diameter and a core of metallic sponge formed thereby, are disclosed.

Referring to Fig. l, the numeral 10 designates generally a device according to the present invention. A crucible 12 is shown disposed in an appropriate position in the device 10 so that the arbor or tool post 14 is adapted to be inserted therein for reaming purposes, the arbor 14 being journaled in the tailstock 16. In the form of the invention disclosed in Fig. 1, both the arbor 14 and the crucible 12 can be rotated, in order to provide a progressive reaming action.

Sealing means 18, 21, 84 and 86 are provided to prevent outside atmosphere from contacting the sponge mass.

Sealing means 18 also provides a chute 22 extending from the crucible 12 to the receptacle 24. The sealing bearing 48 is provided in the interior portion of the envelope 42 in which arbor 14 is adapted to rotate. Envelope 42 is detachably secured to sealing means 18 by means of threaded studs 73 and suitable nuts thereon. The tailstock 16 is slidably mounted on the lathe bed 26 so that both the tailstock 16 and the arbor 14 journalled therein are disposed in axial alignment with the said crucible. Piston means 28 may be provided in cylinder 30 to impart longitudinal movement to the tailstock for control of the position of the arbor 14. The container or holder 17 and crucible 12 secured therein may be disposed at an angle sufiicient to insure that metallic fragments removed from the crucible 12 will fall of their own weight into the receptacle 24, the removal being aided also by rotation of the crucible. The tool 14 is preferably provided with an expansible head 15 whose teeth 23 shall be adjustable so that a spiral path concentric with the central axis of the crucible may be reamed in varying Widths by simultaneous rotation of the crucible and the arbor. Rotation of the arbor 14 may be produced by the motor 52 and the chain drive 54 which drives the gear assembly 59. Obviously, a

w direct gear drive could be utilized also.

It has been found that the layer of sponge nearest the crucible walls may be contaminated and that it is, therefore, highly desirable to remove the best-grade sponge during an initial operation and to remove the remainder in a follow-up operation. The diameter of the tool 14 may be such that the teeth 23 can be adjusted to ream a swath which is, for example, three inches removed from the inner crucible wall, as seen in Fig. 6, and which will also overlay the center of the crucible. The remaining layer 25 of contaminated sponge may then be removed in the consequent operation by extending the teeth from the center of the head approximately three inches so that they are almost contiguous with the'inner surface of the crucible. Alternatively, the head may have a basic diameter such that when the teethare retracted for the first operation, a sponge core 27 of approximately six inches in diameter, for example, will be formed, as seen in Fig. 7. It will be appreciated that a saving of energy and Wear'of parts will be effected by thus avoiding the. need of reaming the substantial core portion of the sponge. v

.It is also contemplated :that the arbor may be made adjustable by the operation of suitable tool-bed height adjustment means (not shown), and this, in turn, would permit the use of toolheads of various diameters to produce cores having a diameter as desired. It will be appreciated, however, that the complete comminution of the sponge removed may also be desirable,,as in the first instance, to avoid a separate crushing operation for a central core.

In any event, the basic concept is to provide means for reaming a'spiral path concentric with the central axis of the crucible from one end of the crucible to the other, and, therefore,-to improve upon the difficult modes of reaming heretofore employed.

The teeth in the semi-circular portion of the head abutting the metal at the leading edge of the path will effect a continuous gouging action on the metal so that the head will cut a swath around the crucible which may extend laterally from the periphery of the crucible to the central axis. Likewise, a continuous chipping action of the teeth in cutting the outer boundary of the swath will be achieved at each speed which is particularly important where sponge of the relatively high density now available is to be processed. Variation in the force of the reaming action may be achieved by varying the rate of angular rotation of the crucible or of the arbor, or of both, concurrently.

In order to position the crucible for'rotation, special support means are provided which include a plurality of concentric cylindrical structures, whose operation will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The crucible 12 is first secured within the container 17, the open end of the crucible abutting the inwardlyturned annular flange 62 thereof. A plurality of threaded pins 60 extend through the cylindrical wall of the container 17 and maybe adjusted to firmly clamp the crucible within the cylinder. Lugs 64 are also preferably provided to secure the'crucible in the container against extremely high torque. A segmental ring 68 inserted in a groove 69 of container 17 serves as an abutment for a loose ring 65 having set screw 66 in contact .with the crucible bottom as shown in Fig. 2, whereby to secure the crucible against longitudinal motion.

The means provided for securing the container and crucible in position for relative rotational movement with respect to the arbor 14, include a casing 82mounted on the inclined support block 31. The block 31 is, in turn, bolted onto the concrete mounting 33 by bolts 35, the concrete mounting being positioned on the base slab 40. A hearing cylinder or drum 76 is rotatably secured Within the casing 82 in axial alignment therewith. The rollers 20 are journalled within the casing in supporting relation to the bearing cylinder, a bevelled annular boss 19 being formed on the bearing cylinder to present suitable bearing surfaces to the said rollers.

The bearing cylinder or drum 76 is adapted to receive therein the container and the crucible in the container. However, the container and crucible unit requires special means of introducing it within the said bearing cylinder because of the unusual mass of the said unit, and the longitudinally disposed abutments or guideways 58 are, therefore, provided to guide the said unit in supporting relation during insertion.

The bearing cylinder has an annular bevelled seat 88 which is complementary to the bevelled portion 90 on the lower end of the container, the said bevelled elements coacting to seat the container securely at an incline, as aforesaid. At the same time, as shown in Fig. 2, an annular ring 74, having a portion of reduced thickness 75 formed thereon to receive the bolts as illus 4 trated in Fig. 2, is provided at the end of the container 17 and is adapted to abut the inner cylindrical wall of the bearing cylinder. As" shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container 17 is pressed against the seat 88 by bolts arranged in a loose ring 74 in abutment with support ring 78 in a recess 8i) of the bearing cylinder, thereby securing the container in a longitudinal direction inside the cylinder. i

As seen in Fig. 3, the lugs 79 and 81 on container 17 and bearing cylinder 76, respectively, are a further means for securing the said container against rotation during reaming. The bearing cylinder is, in turn, rotatably secured by the rollers 20 and 21 within the larger casing element 82 and the sealing means as aforesaid whereby to afford the progressive reaming action.

A window 56 may be'formed in the'face of the sealing means 18 to permit accurate control of the said arbor in accordance with the progress of the work.

After the unit comprising the container and crucible is thus rotatably mounted in the casing, the cover 84 adapted to seal the said casing may be bolted thereto, whereupon the reaming action may begin. a

The cover 84 is bolted to the rear envelope 86, the envelope 86 being in turn bolted to the said casing to complete the positioning of the crucible for reaming.

To rotate the container and crucible unit for reaming purposes, a motor 91 with a pinion 92 secured to the shaft 93 thereof is seated on the block 32, and the bearing cylinder has formed in axial alignment thereon the annular gear 94 adapted to mesh-With the said pinion.

Piston means 28 and 30 are provided "to propel the arbor 14 into contact with the rotating metal sponge, and the motor 52 and chain drive 54 for turning a gear mechanism 59 is likewise provided, adapted to rotate the said arbor so as to effect an additional reaming action, as heretofore described.

In order to obviate undesirable vibration during the actual reaming process, .or the eflfects thereof, the reinforcing bar .86 may be bolted at its. upper end .95 to the said heavy casing and secured atitslower forward end to the block.50. The tension binding the said elements by means of this reinforcing bar is adjustable by operation of the bolt 88 threadedly received in axial alignment therewith atthe lower end thereof, to vary the pressure of the bolt against the lug 96 on the side of the said lathe bed inserted through the slot 97 in the said bar. It thus may be seen that the unitary slab 40 provides a firm base for the entire mechanical device, the two massive supports 33 and 50 thereon being substantially separated in the space 98 provided for the receptacle .24. Although the inclined block 31 on which the casing 82 is mounted is here shown as bolted to the said rearv support, while the casing is bolted to the inclined element, it is to be understood that other methods of construction, such as a unitary construction of these elements, are Within the scope of the device as herein disclosed.

Since the casing 82 and envelopes 18, 21, 84 and effectively seal the crucible and receptacle from the outside atmosphere, internal air may be drawn therefrom to create a vacuum, or, alternatively, an inert gas such as argon maybe introduced therein to effectively prevent combustion of the comminuted sponge thus removed.

In the drawings and specification, there hasbeen set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in form and in the proportion of parts, as well as the substitution of equivalents are contemplated, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, without departingfrom the spirit or scope of this invention as further defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting said crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible, an expansible head on said cutting tool, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon removal thereof by said cutting tool, means for sealing olf said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and the receptacle, and means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus sealed.

2. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting the crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of the said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in said relationship to said crucible, means adapted to rotate said cutting tool about the longitudinal axis thereof, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon their removal by said cutting tool, means for sealing off said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and the receptacle, and means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus sealed.

3. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting said crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible, an expansible head on said cutting tool, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon removal thereof by said cutting tool, means for sealing off said crucible, tool, and said receptacle, from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and the receptacle, means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus sealed, and a container adapted to secure said crucible therein, said container having the front end thereof adapted to receive therethrough said tool.

4. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting said crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible, an expansible head on said cutting tool, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon removal thereof by said cutting tool, means for sealing ofi said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and receptacle,

means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus' sealed, a container adapted to secure said crucible therein, said container having the front end thereof adapted to receive therethrough said tool, means for securing said container and crucible in position for relative rotational movement with respect to said tool, and guideways adapted to guide said container and crucible therein contained into said securing means.

5. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting said crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost,

a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible, an expansible head on said cutting tool, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon removal thereof by said cutting tool, means for sealing off said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and receptacle, means for introducing an inner gas into the space thus sealed, a container adapted to secure said crucible therein, said container having the front end thereof adapted to receive therethrough said tool, a bearing cylinder, split rings adapted to secure said container and said crucible as a unit in said bearing cylinder, guideways for introducing said container and crucible into said bearing cylinder, a cylinder casing for said crucible, container and bearing cylinder, and a plurality of rollers journalled in said casing in supporting relationship to said bearing cylinder, said casing being open rearwardly, and a cover removably secured to one end of said casing.

' 6. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting said crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible, an expansible head on said cutting tool, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon removal thereof by said cutting tool, means for sealing 01f said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and mitting communication between the crucible and receptacle, means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus sealed, a container adapted to secure said crucible therein, said container having the front end thereof adapted to receive therethrough said tool, a bearing cylinder, split rings adapted to secure said container and said crucible as a unit in said bearing cylinder, guideways for introducing said container and crucible into said bearing cylinder, a cylinder casing for said crucible, container and bearing cylinder and a plurality of rollers journalled in said casing in supporting relationship to said bearing cylinder, said casing being open rea wardly, a cover removably secured to one end of said casing, an annular gear disposed on the periphery of said container in axial alignment therewith, a motor, and a pinion afiixed to the drive shaft or" said motor adapted to mesh with said annular gear to rotate said crucible.

7. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting the crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of the said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in said relationship to said tool, means adapted to rotate said cutting tool about the longitudinal axis thereof, a receptacie adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon their removal by said cutting tool, means for sealing olf said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and receptacle, means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus sealed, a container adapted to secure said crucible therein, said container having the front end thereof adapted to receive therethrough said tool, means for securing said container and crucible in position for relative rotational movement With respect to said tool, and guideways adapted to guide said container and crucible therein contained into said securing means.

3. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means including a plurality of rollers for rotatably supporting the crucible aboutsaid axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of the said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible in space parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in said relationship to said tool, means adapted to rotate said cutting tool about the longitudinal axis thereof, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon their removal by said cutting tool, means for sealing ofi said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and receptacle, and means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus sealed. 7

9. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising means for rotatably supporting the crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to the base of the said apparatus with the mouth of the crucible lowermost, a cutting tool mounted for insertion in the mouth of said crucible in spaced parallel relationship to the central longitudinal axis of said crucible, a tool bed adapted to adjustably support said tool in said relationship to said tool, means adapted to rotate said cutting tool about the longitudinal axis thereof, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon their removal by said cutting tool, means for sealing off said crucible, tool, and said receptacle from the atmosphere and permitting communication between the crucible and receptacle, means for introducing an inert gas into the space thus sealed, a container adapted to secure said crucible therein, said container having the front end thereof adapted to receive therethrough said tool, means for securing said container and crucible in position for relative rotational movement with respect to said tool, guideways adapted to guide said container and crucible therein contained into said securing means, an annular gear disposed on the periphery of said container, a motor mounted on said apparatus, and a pinion afiixed to the driving shaft of said motor adapted to mesh With said annular gear to rotate said crucible.

10. An apparatus for removing metallic sponge from a crucible having a central longitudinal axis, comprising a base, means for rotatably supporting the crucible about said axis at an inclined position with respect to said base and with the mouth of said crucible lowermost, a rotary cutting tool mounted for insertion'in the mouth of said crucible, the rotational axis of said cutting tool being in spaced parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of said crucible during operation, means on said base to rotate and axially move said cutting tool into the crucible, a receptacle adapted to receive particles falling from said crucible upon their removal by the advancing cutting tool, means for sealing off said crucible, cutting tool, and receptacle from the atmosphere and yet permitting cornmunication between the crucible and the receptacle, whereby the metallic sponge may be removed in a reduced or inert atmosphere.

11. In an apparatus for rotating a container having an opening while its solidified content is being cut out, a base, a housing mounted on said base and having an opening, a drum having an open end rotatably supported in said housing, means operably connected to rotate said drum, a removable holder adapted to receive the container and to be inserted into said drum through said opening, locking means operably connected to lock the container in said holder, clamping means operably connected to clamp said holder within said drum with the opening of said container adjacent said open end of the drum, a cover rcmovably sealing said opening, a second opening in said housing adjacent said open end of the drum, sealing means at said second opening for sealing engagement with a tool stern operationally extended through said second opening into said container from outside the housing, whereby the container contents may be removed in a reduced or inert atmosphere.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,014,333 Saeger Jan. 9, 1912 1,144,065 Roitzheim et al. June 22, 1915 2,272,219 McCoy Feb. 10, 1942 2,558,744 Fouquet July 3, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 646,320 France July 10, 1928 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATION OF CORRECTION Patent Np; 2,963,725 December 13, 1960 Kurt En Ba Bredtschneider It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and 'that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6 line 10, for "inner read inert Signed and sealed this 13th day of June 1961 SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents 

